The Beauty and Burden of Winter Darkness
The solstice marks more than the year’s shortest day—it’s a celebration of the season’s complexities.
“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the darkness that is restful.” I pictured each. “There is the darkness of lovers and the darkness of assassins. It becomes what the bearer wishes it to be, needs it to be. It is not wholly bad or good.”
– Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury
We are in the season of darkness though we each may have a different flavor. Tomorrow will be the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Even as the power holds and the house lights stay lit, the day will be mostly night, at least at the latitudes I frequent.
When I lived in Fairbanks the darkness consumed the day, with a paltry 3 hours and 40 minutes of sun from 11ish to around 2:30. The slowness of the sunrise and sunset made it seem like it was a bit longer, but the way the sun only poked over the horizon meant the light lacked intensity and felt reluctant.
People tended toward irritability, though some maintained their cheer.
I feel a similar reluctance in myself at this time of year. Not cranky, but reflective with thinking tasks more difficult to accomplish.
Watching movies by a fireplace feels like it should be required.
When I first moved to Alaska, the locals encouraged me to find something physical to do that would get everyone out of the house. I think even in the lower 48 that is great advice, which is why Poppet and I continue to run daily even in the rain.
I’ve noticed people losing patience or being disagreeable. No doubt for some it is their nature, but for many, it is the darkness. I suspect our ancestors observed this themselves. The holidays couldn’t have been better timed to provide a distraction and an excuse to leave off regular chores just for a bit.
The growing darkness of every type compresses the day like a coiled spring, making the lights strung for Christmas all the more welcome.
But it will pass.
By the second week in January, you should feel that the world has turned a corner. In Fairbanks that meant the clouds had lifted, and with their blanketing presence gone, the real cold set in, 40 below even 60 below. But the increasing light lifted moods even as the bitter cold reminded you of your place in the greater picture of the planet.
It will be that way this year too, even if philosophy says I can’t know that for sure. And that is worth celebrating.
Merry Christmas, Joyful Bodhi Day, Happy Holidays and New Year!
Housekeeping
I am going to take a break from 23 Dec 2024 and I’ll be back (just like the Terminator) on 3 Jan 2025. I won’t be idle though. I’ll be working on getting the Accreditation Reform Ball Rolling and the Tennessee FAIR Chapter website. While Accreditation Reform will be a nationwide effort, it starts here in TN. If you are in Tennessee, please reach out to the FAIR Chapter, we can use the help.
If you are elsewhere in the country, there are Chapters across the country and in Canada.
I will also be in and out over on X/twitter. Be sure to say hi!
On the Bookshelf
Are books crying themselves to sleep that I haven’t been giving them enough attention. Lordy. Everybody wants something.
Help Keep This Conversation Going!
Share this post on social media–it costs nothing but helps a lot.
Want more perks? Subscribe to get full access to the article archive.
Become a paid subscriber to get video and chatroom.
Support from readers like you keeps this project alive!
Diogenes in Exile is reader-supported. If you find value in this work, please consider becoming a pledging/paid subscriber, donating to my GiveSendgo, or buying Thought Criminal merch. I’m putting everything on the line to bring this to you because I think it is just that important, but if you can, I need your help to keep this mission alive.
Already a Premium subscriber? Share your thoughts in the chat room.
About
Diogenes in Exile began after I returned to grad school to pursue a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. What I encountered, however, was a program deeply entrenched in Critical Theories ideology. During my time there, I experienced significant resistance, particularly for my Buddhist practice, which was labeled as invalidating to other identities. After careful reflection, I chose to leave the program, believing the curriculum being taught would ultimately harm clients and lead to unethical practices in the field.
Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to investigating, writing, and speaking out about the troubling direction of psychology, higher education, and other institutions that seem to have lost their way. When I’m not working on these issues, you’ll find me in the garden, creating art, walking my dog, or guiding my kids toward adulthood.
You can also find my work at Minding the Campus